Christmas 2018

17 Dec 2018

May you have the gift of Faith, the blessing of Hope and the peace of His Love this Christmastide. 

Pope Francis’ schedule for Christmas 2018

Pope Francis has his usual busy schedule for the upcoming Christmas Season starting with Christmas Eve Mass.  The following is the programme of the Pope’s liturgical celebrations this Christmas Season:

  • 24 December 2018, 9.30pm: Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica
  • 25 December 2018, 12.00pm: Christmas message and blessing “ Urbi  et Orbi” from the  central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica
  • 31 December 2018, 5.00pm: First Vespers for the feast of Mary the Mother of God, followed by the exposition of the Holy Eucharist, the traditional singing of the “Te Deum” in thanksgiving for the concluding year 2018, and the Eucharistic blessing.
  • 1 January 2019, 10.00am: Mass for the feast of Mary the Mother of God in St. Peter’s Basilica.  World Day of Peace on the theme, “Good Politics is at the Service of Peace”.
  • 6 January 2019, 10.00am: Mass of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord in St. Peter’s Basilica.
  • 13 January 2019:  The Christmas Season comes to an end with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which in 2019 falls on 13 January.  The Holy Father will mark the occasion by baptizing babies during a Holy Mass in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel.

Bishops’ Messages and Reflections for Christmas 2018 

Please find below a selection of messages and reflections for Christmas 2018: 

21 December 2018: Christmas message 2018 from Bishop Dermot Farrell
19 December 2018: Christmas message 2018 from Bishop William Crean 
18 December 2018: Joint Christmas message from Bishop John McDowell and Monsignor Joseph McGuinness, Clogher
18 December 2018: Joint Christmas message from Bishop John Buckley and Bishop Paul Colton
17 December 2018: Christmas message from Bishop Tom Deenihan, Bishop of Meath 
14 December 2018: Archbishop Eamon Martin and Archbishop Richard Clarke 

Video and audio reflections 

Silent Night, Holy Night – celebrating 200 years

Click here to watch a video where Dr John O’Keeffe, Director of Sacred Music, Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, talks about the history of Silent Night and the significance of a special exhibition that is taking place in Maynooth to mark 200 years of the hymn.  

Advent Calendar 2018  


Check out the last few days of our Online Advent Calendar which has a daily thought for the day audio reflection. You can listen to them here www.catholicbishops.ie/advent-calendar 

Please check back as this page will be updated as more messages and reflections become available. You can also find Christmas messages and event news on www.catholicnews.ie